Byfield posted 188-6, Joe Fox hitting an unbeaten 44, supported by Jon Carr with 36. Nic Parry was best of the Syresham bowlers with 3-62. Syresham's reply fell short at 165 all out, despite Matthew Butler notching a useful 46.

Third-placed Evenley were three-wicket winners over Woodford Halse. Halse made 186-8, compared to Evenley's 187-7. Steve Jones topscored with 63 for Halse, aided by Antony Powell's 36 not out. Jon Russell, 4-66, and Talib Ali, 3-15, bowled well for Evenley. Russell also hit 39 and Richard Freeman stroked an unbeaten 43 to guide Evenley home.

Second-placed Warwick University Staff enjoyed a 47-run win over second-to-bottom Bodicote.

In the M & P.Scott (Builders) Division One Thornborough lost to Wootton by 39 runs. Aiden Birch and Chris Horsler batted well for Thornborough with knocks of 47 and 33 as their side totalled 165 in response to Wootton's 204-9. Ian Chapman grabbed 5-54, but it wasn't enough to prevent a Wootton win.

Basement team Silverstone went down by 40 runs to Preston Capes, one place above them in the division. Silverstone were restricted to 88 all out, compared to Preston's 128-6.

Hinton-in-the-Hedges, runaway leaders in the New England Financial Services Division Two, earned a 75-run success at Greens Norton. Mark Mounsdon grabbed 3-25 and Dan Soady 3-24 as Norton made 122-8. Simon Horley hit an unbeaten 51 for the home side. Hinton totalled 197-9, Andy Stevens scoring 50.

Third-placed Croughton moved to within nine points of Gayton with a narrow 14-run victory. Croughton made 182-9, with Ian Skuce stroking a fine 68. Gayton were all out for 168, Richard Wetherill grabbing 6-56.

Gawcott & Hillesden are starting to put some form together as they ran out five-wicket winners over Sibford. Nick Stanger was in fine form with bat and ball, hitting an unbeaten 75 as Gawcott posted 167-5. He also took 2-42, supported by Oliver Church 3-30 and Steve Blackwell 3-41. Ian Wollerton made 94 for Sibford.

Mid-table Evenley A edged out Hanslope by 24 runs. Evenley posted 166, compared to Hanslope's 142. Ben Godber hit 31 and took 2-28 for Evenley.

Division Three saw a seven-wicket win for Bodicote A over struggling Maids Moreton. The latter slumped to 71 all out, Bodicote totalled 72-3. Kevin Allibone topscored with 22 for Maids. Darren Stanger took 2-11.

Boddington beat Finmere by seven wickets. Finmere were dismissed for 60, Ian Tipper topscoring with 15. Calvin Jones took 5-22. Boddington made 66-3.

Fourth-placed Preston Bissett lost to Wroxton, one place above, by four wickets, despite a useful 51 not out from Ryan Watson.

In Division Four, leaders Syresham A easily accounted for Flecknoe by 134 runs. Flecknoe managed just 53 as Harry Brock grabbed 3-9 and John Hulston 2-1. Charlton beat Marston A by five wickets, Brian Taylor starring for Charlton with an unbeaten 83, while Martin Sirot-Smith topped that with 90 not out for Marston.

Division Five leaders Helmdon suffered a rare defeat at the hands of second-placed Middleton Cheney A. Helmdon totalled 74, Jamie Stothard topscoring with 31 as Matt Stevens took 3-17 and Barry White 4-20. Middleton were 75-2.

Brackley fell to Silverstone A by one wicket, Bill Land lashing a fine 90 not out for Brackley as they posted 169-3. Silverstone made 172-9, John Fowler topscoring with 30, supported by Simon Mackay on 26. George Brooker took 5-36.

In the Division Two KO Cup semi-final Greens Norton saw off Evenley A by six wickets. Pete Allen grabbed 4-28 and Dave Wilson 2-11 as Evenley reached 105-8. Norton totalled 106-4.

Norton will play Gayton in the final this Sunday, July 27, at Byfield, starting at 1.45pm.

The Division One KO cup semi-final saw a tight game, victory just going to Byfield A over Silverstone by 10 runs.

Andy Payne hit an unbeaten 71 for Silverstone in their total of 144-5. Byfield made 154-6.

For more sports news and results, see this week's Advertiser & Review